McCarthy tames Tigers

Glendale native excels on the mound for Oakland while putting an end to Detroit's 12-game winning streak.

September 20, 2011|By Charles Rich, charles.rich@latimes.com

The following are updates on area Major League Baseball players.

Brandon McCarthy (Glendale native) starting pitcher, Oakland Athletics: While the Athletics have been eliminated from playoff contention, it hasn't deterred McCarthy from continuing to excel on the mound. The right-hander has gotten stronger during his first season with the Athletics and might get in two more starts before the season concludes Sept. 27.

In his latest outing Thursday against the red-hot Detroit Tigers, McCarthy proved to be at his best.

McCarthy struck out eight and walked two in Oakland's 6-1 home win against Detroit. McCarthy allowed one run on five hits, improving to 3-2 with a 2.15 earned-run average through his last five appearances.

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The victory snapped Detroit's season-best 12-game winning streak and temporarily delayed it clinching the American League's Central Division championship. The Tigers wrapped up their first division title since 1987 on Friday against the Athletics.

"As a team, you never want to see people celebrating on your home field," McCarthy told the Associated Press after going seven innings. "For us, it's just getting wins and playing well. If we happen to spoil guys on the way there, that's great."

Since July 26, McCarthy is 7-3 in his last 10 starts. He also rebounded well from his previous outing in which he allowed four runs (three earned) and six hits in six innings in Oakland's 14-3 road loss against the Texas Rangers on Sept. 9.

McCarthy will get another start today against the Rangers, who he pitched parts of four seasons with before moving to Oakland, at home tonight.

Entering today's game, McCarthy is 9-8 with a 3.35 ERA. He has struck out 116 and walked 25 in 155 2/3 innings.

Through Tuesday, the Athletics were 69-84 and in third place in the AL West Division.

Marco Estrada (Glendale Community College, 2003) pitcher, Milwaukee Brewers: Estrada and the Brewers are on the verge of clinching the National League's Central Division. Estrada has shown his versatility throughout the season as a starter and reliever. After making three starts in a row in August, Estrada has since been shifted back to the bullpen, where he has made six straight relief appearances.

Estrada's latest outing didn't go so well, as he allowed a two-run home run in the sixth inning to Geovany Soto of the Chicago Cubs in a 5-2 road loss Monday. He struck out four and walked one in two innings.